My mother was a farm wife and a prodigious canner. She canned fruit and vegetables from the garden, even occasionally meat. But the best thing that she canned, in my opinion, was blackberry jam. Even as I type those words my mouth waters! Of course, before she could make that jam, somebody had to pick the blackberries. And that somebody was quite often named Dorothy. I think Seamus Heaney might have spent some time among the briars plucking those delicious black fruits as well, so he would have known that "Once off the bush the fruit fermented, the sweet flesh would turn sour." They don't keep; you have to get that jam made in a hurry! Blackberry-Picking by Seamus Heaney Late August, given heavy rain and sun For a full week, the blackberries would ripen. At first, just one, a glossy purple clot Among others, red, green, hard as a knot. You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet Like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust ...
How beautiful! Lucky you! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of sweat to be lucky in the garden!
DeleteWow! I know that everything blooms in your garden much earlier than mine, but I still can't believe all that is blooming for you in April already!
ReplyDeleteWalking into the garden these days is such an adventure - always a new blossom to see.
DeleteA garden is a little piece of heaven.
ReplyDeleteThe blue morning glories are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI love those morning glories. They are planted alongside moonflowers and the two together are quite amazing. Unfortunately, there were no moonflower blossoms open when I took the picture.
DeleteI am thinking the same thing but for us, it's cherries, Bradford Pears, daffodils and crabapples - everything seems to be popping up at once. Still have some forsythias blooming in some yards and, meanwhile, the lilacs are getting ready to open. Wait! Stop! I need to catch up!
ReplyDeleteEvery day brings a new surprise. Today it's datura and 'Dallas Red' lantana.
DeleteGosh Dorothy, I feel as if I have just leapt forward six weeks in this post. How exciting - your flowers are beautiful and in a week of sleet, snow and frost, you have reminded me of how much we have to look forward to! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI feel sure that spring will reach you one day soon.
DeleteWow, I know you are much earlier than us, but even so - lovely to see all your summer blooms! My sunflowers are still tiny seedlings and my roses are in buds, but we'll get there eventually :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy gardening!
Yes, you will!
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